Inzamam to Pak players: Avoid 'parties' in India

Karachi, Nov 17: Pakistan's former captain and most capped player, Inzamam-ul-Haq has advised the national team players to avoid accepting invitations to private dinners and parties while touring India next month for the One-day series.

"Whenever Pakistan goes to India there are always a lot of private invitations for dinners, parties and receptions. Players are offered good money to attend these events," Inzamam told reporters in Lahore on Friday.

"My advice to the players is avoid these private parties and dinners and just focus on cricket because it is an important series for us," he said.

Inzamam who toured India several times, the last being in 2005 as captain, said Pakistan have a very good opportunity to beat India this time.

"But for that the players will have to really focus on cricket only. Touring India is always a great experience for Pakistani players and there are distractions but the players must concentrate on the series and on winning it," he said.

Inzamam, who played 120 Tests and 378 One-Day Internationals, also said the coming series would be an intriguing one as both teams had quality spinners and attacking batsmen.

"I have a feeling India will rely on its batting because their batting has carried them through in recent times."

Pakistan play two T20 matches and three ODIs. It will be the first bilateral series between the two countries in five years.

Inzamam, who led Pakistan in a drawn Test series after a win at Bangalore and also won the One-day series in 2005, said the tour will be a tough one from a cricketing point of view.

"India will have played a full Test series against England while our team will go there fresh so we will have that slight edge," he said.

Asked about his coaching ambitions, Inzamam who retired in 2007, said he was ready to work for Pakistan cricket.

He, however, dismissed questions about his coaching credentials. "I don't think I need any coaching degrees to prove my credentials. I think the 18 years of international cricket I played is my qualification."